Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The provisions I have outlined and the requirement for high standards are reflected in the model tender and contract documents for the procurement of goods and general services, as well as in instructions to tenderers and conditions of contract, where the standard forms of contract are used. These documents require that any conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest on the part of a tenderer, individual employee, agent or subcontractor of a tenderer be fully disclosed to the contracting authority as soon as it becomes apparent. Withholding information may result in elimination from a competition or termination of a contract, but this may also occur due to information disclosed. The provisions also prohibit gifts, consideration or commission of any kind as an inducement or reward relating to the award or performance of any public contract.

A public consultation process on the provisions of this directive, which, among other things, provides for additional grounds for exclusion from tender processes, has recently been concluded. The Office of Government Procurement will take full account of the responses received, though I am not sure whether the Deputy took the opportunity to make a submission. In consultation with the Attorney General, it will consider all proposals submitted and the necessity for any further measures by contracting authorities to prevent any form of corruption in procurement in Ireland.

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